To truly optimize character builds and overcome challenging bosses in Nioh 3, players should effectively utilize Skills. These abilities, learned from Secret Skills Texts found throughout the map, provide passive effects and active capabilities that can significantly impact encounters with formidable foes or new areas.
To assist with early progression, this guide lists some of the best Skills in Nioh 3 that can be acquired within the game’s first region, Warring States.
Best Skills in Nioh 3
To view unlocked Skills and equip or unequip them in Nioh 3, players should navigate to the ‘Skill Management’ menu at a Shrine.
Here, Skills unlocked for the Samurai stance, Ninja stance, and Common Skills (which apply to both stances) are visible. Each category has a point value, and the total point value of equipped Skills for each stance cannot exceed this limit.
This point value can be increased by finding Warrior’s Texts, Samurai’s Texts, and Ninja’s Texts across the map. Similarly, to unlock new Skills, players must seek out and collect Secret Skills Texts, often found in chests or as rewards after battles.
For assistance in tracking down new Skills, consider reviewing the list of all Secret Skills Text locations.
Best Common Skills
Here are some of the most beneficial Common Skills to acquire and use during Nioh 3’s early game. These Skills apply to both Ninja and Samurai stances.
- Lingering Spirit – Recovers 30% of Amrita left behind upon death.
- Attack Mastery II – Increases Attack by 12.
- Enduring Destruction – Inflicts increased damage taken on an enemy after a successful Burst Break.
- Vital Spirit – Increases Amrita gained when defeating an enemy by 4%.
- Weight Bearer – Increases the maximum weight of equipment that can be carried.
Among these Common Skills, Enduring Destruction is particularly effective. The ability to perform a Burst Break is crucial in Nioh 3’s toughest fights, allowing players to deal significant damage to an enemy. Pairing this with the ability to inflict additional damage after a successful Burst Break enhances its utility, and this can be achieved multiple times during a boss fight.
Both Attack Mastery Skills (Attack Mastery I provides +5 Attack, while Attack Mastery II later provides +12 Attack) are also frequently equipped, as they contribute to maximizing damage output during combat.
Best Samurai Skills
Here are some of the most beneficial Samurai Skills to acquire and use during Nioh 3’s early game:
- Indomitable Spirit – When Life drops to 30% or lower, Ki recovery speed increases by 25%.
- Running Water – Enables a Ki Pulse after dodging.
- Unshakable – Reduces damage taken while attacking by 10%.
- Oppressive Strength – Prevents staggering during Strong Attacks and Martial Arts while Arts Proficiency is active.
- Resolute Arts – Reduces damage taken while Arts Proficiency is active by 15%.
- Defense Mastery II – Increases Defense by 14.
Among the Samurai Skills, Indomitable Spirit and Running Water are highly favored. Running Water allows for a Ki Pulse after dodging (which quickly restores Ki), and for players who frequently dodge, this can be a lifesaver. It proves invaluable for maintaining Ki during intense combat.
Similarly, Indomitable Spirit boosts Ki recovery speed by 25% when Life falls below 30%. While ideally, Life should not drop this low, situations arise where quick Ki recovery is essential to evade an enemy’s next attack. This skill provides that crucial boost.
Best Ninja Skills
Here are some of the most beneficial Ninja Skills to acquire and use during Nioh 3’s early game:
- Supreme Shift – When using Style Shift to switch to Ninja Style, successfully performing a Burst Break will cause the player to maneuver behind the enemy.
- Dodging – Reduces Ki consumed when dodging by 10%.
- Snakebite Technique – Increases the amount of damage over time inflicted on enemies by 16%.
- Armor Piercer – Increases damage dealt by final blow and grapple by 10%.
- Backstab Life Siphon – Restores Life when dealing damage to an enemy from behind.
Among these Ninja Skills, Supreme Shift is highly recommended (though it becomes available later in the game). After a successful Burst Break, this Skill positions the player behind the enemy, offering ample opportunity to land multiple hits from behind and inflict significant damage. Combining this with Backstab Life Siphon, which restores a small amount of Life when attacking an enemy from behind, creates a powerful synergy: Burst Break, then attack from behind to deal substantial damage while simultaneously recovering lost Life.
Snakebite Technique is also a strong choice, increasing damage over time to enemies by 16%. This is particularly effective if Ninjutsu Tools or Onmyo Magic are used to inflict Elemental Damage like Fire and Lightning. Any build-up of these status elements on an enemy will deal damage over time, and that damage is further amplified by 16% thanks to this Skill, providing additional damage opportunities.
Players can experiment with various Skills in Nioh 3. For more information on the extensive RPG, consider reviewing the list of all bosses, where to find all Hot Springs, and how to charm the wall yokai, Nurikabe.
